Working to build a stronger community by addressing issues related to health, education and income.

Aunt Wanda

About this blog

By Anne Kirchner

United Way of McPherson County is working to build a stronger community by addressing issues related to health, education and income. We believe conversations and intensive listening are the best ways to understand the real problems and move
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United Way of McPherson County is working to build a stronger community by addressing issues related to health, education and income. We believe conversations and intensive listening are the best ways to understand the real problems and move beyond short-term solutions. Community change can be accomplished through broad participation and collaboration. We encourage McPherson County residents to be involved with their community through giving, advocating and volunteering. By working together we can make a larger impact on the issues at hand.

Last weekend I prepared a wedding cake, a talent that remains from my years of catering. The bride's parents asked me to stay long enough after setting up the cake to give the cake cutters advice on how to accomplish the task. The process was a little more complicated than most wedding cakes because some of the cake options included cheesecakes, which were baked by one of the bride's family members.

Several of the cheesecakes were placed on crystal platters and decorated with fresh flowers to adorn the cake table. The main wedding cake was the table highlight with three tiers, each level divided by pillars and filled with deep purple hydrangeas. At the base of each cake level was a turquoise ribbon. The color combination was brilliant and even more enhanced with deep orange lilies. The backup cheesecakes and sheetcake were located just around the corner in a hallway next to the cake table.

As soon as I began explaining the cutting process to the first aunt involved, I could tell she was very apprehensive about her role. The look on her face resembled that of a deer staring into car headlights. She was terrified! The second aunt who was supposed to assist with the cutting had not yet arrived though more than half the guests had gone through the dinner buffet. We later learned she had volunteered to stay at the church and help dismantle decorations. The chances of her arriving in time to help cut the cake were doubtful.

I knew the family personally and felt obligated to stay and assist with the cake cutting. To be honest, though, I would have stayed for anyone! My presence was appreciated and I'm glad I stayed. I was even more grateful for the church coordinator who also stayed. Together we plated cake and cheesecake in the hallway and delivered it smoothly to the dessert table. The first aunt was stationed at the table and kept the guests entertained with cutting chocolate cake, which complemented the french vanilla cake we were bringing from the hallway.

The second aunt arrived but before I was able to desribe the cutting process to her, she was off getting a plate of food from the buffet. I respect she was a guest and was probably starving after helping dismantle the church, but she was also assigned to cutting the cake. My helpful nature inspired me to stay until she was able to return to the cake table to work. By then the bride's father was fully aware of my presence and offered to pay me extra. The opportunity to earn extra dollars was tempting, but I knew I would never send him a bill.